Virginia Creeper?

7 years ago

Hi, can someone ID this volunteer plant. 5 leaves, climbing vine. First thought Poison Ivy/Oak but those have 3 leaves. My guess, Virginia Creeper or relative. Thanks so much.

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Comments (12)

peren.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada
7 years ago
Yes, Parthenocissus quinquefolia - Virginia Creeper.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
7 years ago
personally .. i would not encourage it on my brick ...

its a horrible reseeding nightmare on my acreage .... and since it already self sowed itself in your yard... personally.. again.. i would not encourage it ...

and now that you know what it is.. you might start noticing how many seedlings you are pulling out every year ...

ken
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Embothrium
7 years ago
Similar P. inserta may also be possible.
Ron B
Original Author
7 years ago
I had planned to remove it unless there was good reason not to. Wanted to be fairly certain it was not poisonous first. I'm sure a freeze will kill the top but not the roots. To late to spray this year. May cut it back to the ground then fight it next growing season.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
7 years ago
It will drop its leaves since it is deciduous but frost won't kill the top as it is a hardy woody vine. It will not damage brickwork which is in good condition but if you want to remove it in future you will have to deal with the little holdfasts which will leave spotty marks all over the wall. If you like it and you are able to maintain it regularly it can be an attractive feature. Just an alternative view.

However, if you aren't ready to clip it several times a year it's probably best to get rid of it.
Ron B
Original Author
7 years ago
My concern is that the vine is growing up the brick and on the wood soffit. Not sure if it can find a way through the soffit and damage the wood and trim but many vines are really good at finding a crack or crevice to push through.

I want to thank all of you that responded to my plant ID question.
bostedo: 8a tx-bp-dfw
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
VC is one of several common plants whose sap contains calcium oxalate crystals (raphides) which can irritate skin on some people (or mouth/throat if chewed). Just use some caution when pulling/pruning it if unsure about your sensitivity.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
7 years ago
in my sand .... its rather shallow rooted.. and can be easily pulled out.. if young ...

its still green.. you could cut it at ground level.. and apply stump killer or undiluted round up to the cut.. and it will probably die... call a redo in spring if it isnt ... no real need to dig it up ...

what would i do ... jump on the shovel twice ... and pull it out.. straight into a plastic bag .... you might want to put it into the bag first ... then do it ... it really shouldn't be hard.. unless there is an electric line under it.. lol..

bet a buck the seed shot out of some bird perching on the gutter or eave above ...

dont make it a bigger project than it should be ... that is a small plant ...

ken
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
7 years ago
I'm glad that bostedo warned about the calcium oxalate crystals in the sap. I'd strongly advise wearing gloves when handling Virginia Creeper, even though it is not considered poisonous.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
7 years ago
Definitely keep it off the soffit and don't let it get onto the roof or into gutters. It will need constant maintenance if you do decide to keep it. We have a related species, Parthenocissus henryana, up the back of our house and it needs cutting at least 4 times a year. Not easy since the house is four stories high.
Embothrium
7 years ago
Grows quite large so probably not suitable for this spot for that reason alone.
xiangirl zone 4/5 Nebraska
7 years ago
Is it going anywhere besides up the brick? It will take over bushes and climb up anything. I keep pulling it off bushes, pulling the underground roots which do come up easily. However, I'd guess I'm breaking off small pieces of the root since it comes back regularly. I used to feel sorry for it because it was kind of pretty, but not anymore. A friend of mine let it grow up her chain link fence and now her fence is covered all year long. It looks very nice and when it grows "out" she pushes that "finger" back through the fence and it keeps growing on it's merry way. She's had it there 15 years so it's well established. She has to take care it stays on the fence, though.